The performance of the VITEK 2 system for direct rapid identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing of the bacteria responsible for blood infections was determined.The isolates studied included 166 Gram-negative rods and 74 Gram-positive cocci from inpatients.Specially treated monomicrobial samples from positive blood culture bottles were directly inoculated into the VITEK 2 system and the results were compared with those from cards inoculated with standardized bacterial suspensions.Compared with the standard method,95.8% of Gram-negative ...